Taking the Big Leap
I am a self-improvement junkie. I love listening to Audible (Audible.com is my best 2013 discovery) or reading personal growth and development books, to help me become a better me and a better coach for my clients. I would say the book that has made the most impact on me in 2013 has been The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. 
Have you ever noticed that just when you’re starting to feel really good, or are on the verge of some new level of success, something always seems to come along to kibosh it? You self-sabotage. Maybe it’s an argument with your husband, a bounced check, a bad cold or sprained ankle, or your own excessive worrying or self-doubt. Whatever it is, it throws cold water on whatever joy you were kindling. Gay Hendricks calls this your “Upper Limit Problem.”
He shows us that we each have a certain level of happiness that we are familiar with, and we tend to limit ourselves to stay in this comfort zone. But we can train ourselves to transcend it. Upper Limit behavior patterns limit the quality of our lives and keep us from giving our best gifts or even receiving the good that comes our way.
Hendricks, re-frames worry and anxiety as an indicator of movement and growth; and describes fear as excitement without breath (brilliant!)
The Big Leap shows you how to identify and then move beyond your Upper-Limit patterns. The book also guides you toward claiming and inhabiting your “zones of genius” — deeply rewarding areas of strength and satisfaction you may currently be avoiding.
For the most part we live in our zone of excellence but there is more…a level above where time stands still and ultimate peace and satisfaction are achieved – your zone of genius.
Lately, I have a block around getting up early and taking time for me to exercise and meditate before the kids get up and I have to start my day. Often this is the only time of the day just for me. I think this is an upper-limit issue for me. I know that if I get out of bed and have time for M&M’s (what I call Movement and Mediation) my day will be so much better and will help me operate in my zone of genius. But I don’t do it – I self-sabotage. By looking at this as an Upper Limit Problem, it has helped me reframe my behavior.
Rather than saying, “I deserve to sleep in because my days are so busy and this is the only chance I have to relax,” I can reframe to, “I deserve to experience the joy of extreme self-care by getting up, moving and meditating which will make this a much more productive day.”
My Discover Your Diva Jumpstart Program may be just what you need to break through your Upper Limit Behaviors and comfort zone. This Program is designed to upgrade your food, thoughts, movement and self-care. Is everything going well in your life but you can’t stop eating sugar? Do you let worry and anxiety sabotage your happiness and joy? Do you need to take more time caring for you? The January Jumpstart Program may be your Big Leap.
A couple other favorites…
The Power of Full Engagement – Jim Loehr and Tony Swartz The number of hours in a day is fixed, but the quantity and quality of energy available to us is not. This book helped me maximize my energy so I can be a more engaged Mom of three kids, wife and health coach. I get more done with less exhaustion using the principles in this book.
1000 Gifts – A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are – Ann Voskamp – Ann Voskamp invites you to embrace 
everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God’s gifts. Becoming present to your blessings is truly life changing!
